As the 2024 UIM F2 World Championship heads into its final weekend, determining the pole sitter will play a crucial role in deciding the World Champion. During free practice, championship leader Rashed Al Qemzi secured the top spot, followed closely by Norway’s Tobias Munthe-Kaas, who demonstrated improved performance with his new hull. Lithuania’s Edgaras Riabko rounded out the top three, setting the stage for an intense qualifying session.
Just as the boats lined up for the key battle for pole position, increasing winds created challenging conditions for the drivers. In Q2, all competitors fought to secure their place among the top six, with the leaderboard experiencing multiple shifts as drivers pushed their limits throughout the session. Monégasque driver Giacomo Sacchi-Abbate emerged as the fastest, progressing to Q3, while Italian driver David Del Pin also made a strong showing.
The competition for the final top six spot was particularly fierce between Abu Dhabi’s Mansoor Al Mansoori and Edgaras Riabko, both vying for the World Championship title. In a heart-wrenching moment, Riabko missed the cut by just 0.012 seconds, relegating him to seventh place and forcing him to watch from the sidelines during the next session. This narrow margin underscored the high stakes as the competition intensified.
The top six drivers then faced off for pole position in a fifteen-minute showdown. Sacchi-Abbate set the pace early on, establishing a fast lap time that only Rashed Al Qemzi could challenge. Ultimately, Sacchi-Abbate improved his performance with each lap, claiming pole position decisively. Al Qemzi will start second, with Matthew Palfreyman in third, Al Mansoori in fourth, and Del Pin and Benavente completing the lineup. Reflecting on his achievement, Sacchi-Abbate expressed gratitude for his team's efforts, acknowledging his desire to win the Grand Prix title despite being out of championship contention this season.
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